Sean Archer (John Travolta) is the head of a covert anti-terrorism group hot on the trail of Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). One of Archer's biggest grudges against Troy is the fact that his son was killed by Troy several years ago. The movie starts off with a final face off between Archer's and Troy's teams, where Troy's brother (Pollux, yes that's right, Mythology experts, Castor and Pollux Troy) is captured and Castor is knocked into a coma.
Before being turned into a turnip, Castor exclaims that there is a bomb somewhere in L.A. Archer is asked to go into deep cover and try and get the bomb's location from Pollux. Archer (as Castor) takes part in an advanced experimental surgery that replaces his face with Castor's. Archer is then sent to prison and coaxes the bomb location out of Pollux. Unfortunately for the undercover agent, after the operation, Castor wakes up and forces the surgeon to put Archer's face on him. In return, Castor kills everyone who knows Archer is undercover.
Now Castor (as Archer) has a new plan. He makes a deal to get his brother out of jail and becomes the nation's top cop by stopping the bomb mere seconds before it blows. I have to say, it was nice to see the Los Angeles Convention Center actually playing the part of the LACC instead of some airport or government building for a change. But anyway, now the two characters have assumed the other's identities and when Archer breaks out of prison, he meets up with Castor's old game and mayhem follows.
Face/Off: Collector's Edition is filled with tons of slow-motion action shots, standard "Gun-Fu" stuff and, of course doves, lots of flying doves. This movie is pure classic John Woo, so much so in fact, that after watching it, I have a real urge to go play some Stranglehold.
With the Collector's Edition, you get a ton of features like a slew of deleted scenes (including an alternate ending), and a couple of featurettes about John Woo and the making of Face/Off. All of these specials were a treat, and if you haven't already picked up this movie, then this edition is a great choice.
